10 tips to help you score big with your weight loss goals during Super Bowl Sunday

If we’re not careful, the food choices we make during Super Bowl Sunday could result in packing on those extra unwanted pounds. I sat down with Sandra Maltzman, who revealed some of her surefire ways to stay focused during the big game. Below, you'll see her top ten tips for keeping your motivation high.

1)Warm Up. Start game day off on the right foot before you even leave the house. Eating a satisfying, pre-game healthy meal will leave less room for tasty temptations.

2)Stay Hydrated. Bring a water bottle with you so you’re sure to stay full longer, while also staying cleansed and hydrated.

3)Teamwork. Team up to create a Super Bowl support system by designating a fit-focused pal at the party to help make the right food choices—together.

4)Show Up Prepared. Make your party contribution a healthy one. Our recommendation? Use the L A Lite Cookbook. There are so many simple and delicious recipes you can use!

5)Defense. Beer and wine are sure to be flowing this Super Bowl Sunday, so steer clear if they don’t offer light options. Measuring up: One 12-ounce light beer is equal to one starch, and three ounces of wine is equal to one fruit. Tip: Mix your wine with a spritzer!

6)Take a Timeout. Chances are, if there’s dip, there’s chips. Remember that fresh veggies are perfect for dipping, too!

7)Half Time Festivities. Use half time to break free of the couch and dance along to Glory Days or take a stroll around the block.

8)Substitution. Even professional athletes need substitutes, so remember your Feel Full Focus options when your cravings set in. Three cups of 94 percent fat free popcorn is equal to 15 mini pretzels. You can also have 17 grapes for the price of 6 cashews.

9)Focus. Remember why you’re celebrating—football: friends and family (unless it also happens that you're from Arizona or Pittsburgh ;)). Keep your goals in perspective, as the Super Bowl is only a two-hour game. Don’t let a couple of bad plays ruin a season of success. Enjoy the day and be proud of your victory!

10)Continue Training. While Super Bowl winners take some time off after a big win, a healthy lifestyle takes daily maintenance. Kick off next week by following the TakeOff Juice diet for 2 days.

UPDATE: Barbara Bonura crosses the finish line ... and stays there!

The last time we checked in with Barbara Bonura, she had successfully shed 50 pounds with the L A Weight Loss program. Since then, she's even lost another two pounds!

Barbara's healthy lifestyle hasn't slowed down. As a U.S. mail carrier, Barbara walks every day, but it doesn’t stop there. March marks her third year running in a local women’s 10k run to raise money for women's and children’s health issues. Good for you, Barbara!

Barbara also has a regular work out routine. She works out at the gym three days a week (and two of those days are before work at 5 a.m.). Barbara also runs on the weekends. She's up with the sunrise on Saturdays to run four miles at 4 a.m. That's commitment!

Barbara still follows her L A Weight Loss plan. Her typical menu consists of 8 oz. skim milk with one serving of cornflakes and one banana for breakfast. For lunch, one serving of a lean protein (usually fresh, deli sliced lunch meat) with one slice of whole grain bread. Dinner is usually a salad with either lean chicken or fish. And for a healthy snack, Barbara usually grabs a piece of fresh fruit.

Way to go Barbara, you look GREAT. All you hard work has paid off!

Stacie Guines drops 186 pounds and gains fame

L A Weight Loss's very own Stacie Guines of Tennessee graced the the cover of People Magazine's annual Half Their Size feature this week, and we are so proud of her!

Before she stepped foot into her local center though, this sneaky snacker would eat more than her fair share at the table. A typical meal might include two hot dogs topped with coleslaw, chili, and cheese; a half bag of Doritos; four Little Debbie Oatmeal Crème pies; and two 16-oz. glasses of Kool-Aid for lunch.

By diligently following her L A Weight Loss routine, Stacie went from 340 pounds to a slender 154 pounds. Her one-on-one weight loss counselor taught Stacie portion control and how to choose healthier options, and gain control of her diet.

Today, Stacie's lunch usually includes five slices of turkey on wheat bread, a small salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing, one orange cup of sugar-free Jell-O, and plenty of water.

It's not wonder her success landed her on the cover of People. But that's not all who's interested in her miraculous weight loss journey. After the producers of the TODAY Show heard about Stacie’s weight loss success, they invited her to the studio to share her story to their viewers. Stacie appeared on the show twice to share her weight loss secret.

Looking good Stacie! Keep up the great work!